Javier Hernandez scored two goals in the Reds’ 3-2 comeback win over Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday.

It was as good an argument for him starting the match in three days’ time as he could have put forward, although with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, Hernandez needs to take every opportunity he gets to impress.

Fergie said: “The boy is improving all the time.

“He is fantastic in training and he’s always practicing.

“His goal ratio for us is fantastic. For his second goal he bends around the back of the defender. It is a great ball in from Tom Cleverley but his movement is terrific.

“He’s given me a problem - but that’s a good thing.”

CHELSEA are sweating on the fitness of Frank Lampard ahead of the match against Manchester United on Sunday.

The midfield maestro limped off during the Blues’ 2-1 Champions League defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk with a recurrence of a calf injury.

The 34-year-old underwent a scan yesterday, the results of which will be revealed today. And Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said: “It’s basically a recurrence of an old injury he had.

“He was training with us fine and there were no alarm bells before the game. He was in good condition to play.”

News of Lampard’s injury was the last thing Londoners needed after the humbling loss in the Ukraine.

The defeat leaves the Blues second in Group E but with an away fixture against Italian giants Juventus still to face. And Di Matteo accepted Chelsea must avenge last night’s result in two weeks’ time and win their final home game against Nordsjaelland if they are to avoid one of the shortest ever defences of the Champions League.